These matters being arranged, and Lucterius now checked and forced
to retreat, because he thought it dangerous to enter the line of Roman garrisons, Caesar
marches into the country of the Helvii; although mount Cevennes
, which separates the Arverni from the Helvii,
blocked up the way with very deep snow, as it was the severest season of the
year; yet having cleared away the snow to the depth of six feet, and having
opened the roads, he reaches the territories of the Arverni, with
infinite labor to his soldiers. This people being surprised, because they
considered themselves defended by the Cevennes
as by a wall, and the paths at this season of the year had never before
been passable even to individuals, he orders the cavalry to extend themselves as
far as they could, and strike as great a panic as possible into the enemy. These
proceedings are speedily announced to Vercingetorix by rumor and
his messengers. Around him all the Arverni crowd in alarm, and
solemnly entreat him to protect their property, and not to suffer them to be
plundered by the enemy, especially as he saw that all the war was transferred
into their country. Being prevailed upon by their entreaties he moves his camp
from the country of the Bituriges in the direction of the
Arverni.